Unusual facts about some of the worlds favourite holiday haunts

By Emily Collins

In terms of its modernism, Dubai is one of the youngest places on the planet. Its swaggering skyline only erupted from the ground over the past few decades, like it's been in some architectural cold war. But this jaw-dropping feat wasn't achieved by the nationals alone.

More than 80% of the population in Dubai are expats, meaning that nationals are the minority. The extreme influx of non-Emiratis has caused the tripling of the 1995 population figure of just 700,000, with the current estimate being 2.1 million. Despite the recession, many are still flocking to Dubai to be a part of its development.

Morocco has a population of 32 million people, about the same as Canada, though its landmass is akin to California. The majority of the population is Muslim - with a smattering of Christian and Jewish - which means most nationals do not consume alcohol. And if there's an urge to, the government has 100% domestic booze tax in place. Paradoxically, the country has fourteen wine regions, and the standard of wine is considered to be good too.

Like us Brits, the Moroccan people love their tea. The only difference being they like theirs green. And there is a big variety to choose from. In fact, there is even a proper tea ceremony, where people are shown how to prepare and drink tea 'properly' - much like in China. Be careful, though: it's not uncommon for Moroccans to have as many as six lumps of sugar in their tea, which could be a little sweet for British tastes!

Home to the ancient city of Carthage, Tunisia played a vital role in the Mediterranean. As it is located so close to the edge of North Africa, it became a sort of hub with links to important routes for shipping. The Arabs, Romans, French and Ottomans all viewed Tunisia as strategically significance over the years, using it as a regional vantage point.

About the Author:

Emily Collins writing on behalf of hotels4u.com. To find out more about Tunisia, why not visit yourself? Stop by this site to book your accommodation.